Golf swing alignment aid

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for assisting a golfer in aligning a golf swing to a ball target includes an elastic strap removably connected to strap fasteners, one associated with a respective toe portion of each golfer&#39;s shoe. Shoe covers providing the strap fasteners need not cover the entire shoe, and instead may be partial shoe covers with toe portions and heel portions connected with elastic and/or adjustable side straps. The elastic strap, taunt when the golfer assumes a stance for swinging a club, is in alignment with a desired golf ball target. A sliding marker may be provided on the elastic strap to indicate ball position prior to a swing. The elastic strap is easily removable via connectors, such that after a shot, the golfer need only remove the strap and put it in a pocket, for example, until used again for a subsequent swing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to golfing and, more particularly, to a golf swing alignment aid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many “rules” associated with improving a golfer's swing. One such rule is that, prior to a stroke, a player should align their feet such that an imaginary line is drawn across the toes of each foot to the intended target. There are several patents that attempt to abide by this rule. For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,827, entitled GOLF SIGHT, is directed to a golf sight adapted to be removably attached to the toe of a golfer's shoe for lining up a golf shot. As shown in FIG. 1, the reference discloses a one-piece, elongated, plastic golf sight which may be conveniently carried by a golfer.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,438, entitled GOLF AID APPARATUS, comprises a telescopic rod, adjustable up to 20 inches in length, that attaches to the toe of a shoe to provide for a golfer to properly align their feet, with the telescopic rod aimed toward an intended target of the golf swing. As shown in FIG. 2, the rod is attached with a top strap loop that slideably fits around a shoe strap. A combined loop joins the top strap to the bottom strap. While it is said that the rod does not infringe upon a golfer's foot movement and pivot, this is difficult to believe.

Published U.S. Application Serial No. 2013/0210536, GOLF ALIGNMENT AND SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHODS, teaches a pair of golf shoes, wherein the front portion of the sole or welt, or both, of the shoe squared off, so as to align the squared off portion to help set up the golfer's feet parallel toward an intended target. See FIG. 3. The golf shoes further provide a point of balance for the golfer at the end of the golf swing.

While the inventions just described address the idea that a player should adopt a stance such that their toes are aligned to an intended target, the implementations clearly have problems. For one, the attachment of a stick to one shoe would be difficult to stabilize for a precise alignment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention resides in apparatus that assists a golfer in aligning a swing to a ball target, be it a fairway, a green, a pin or a hole. The apparatus comprises a right fastener supported on a toe region of a golfer's right shoe, and a left fastener supported on a toe region of a golfer's left shoe. An elastic strap is removably connected between the two fasteners. The elastic member has a length between 6 and 24 inches in an unstretched state, such that when the golfer assumes a stance for swinging a club, the strap is stretched and in alignment with a desired target. The preferred embodiment further includes a marker that slides along the elastic strap to indicate ball position.

The right and left fasteners may be supported on the toe regions of the golfer's shoes in any manner. For example, shoe covers may be used, each cover having a toe portion with a respective one of the fasteners supported thereon. The shoe covers may cover all or a part of each shoe. For example, the covers may include right and left heel covers that attach to the toe portions through elastic or adjustable side straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior-art golf sight adapted to be removably attached to the toe of a golfer's shoe for lining up a golf shot;

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a prior art telescopic rod that attaches to the toe of a shoe to provide for a golfer to properly align their feet, with the telescopic rod aimed toward an intended target of the golf swing;

FIG. 3 shows a pair of prior art golf shoes, wherein the front portion of the sole or welt, or both, of the shoe squared off, so as to align the squared off portion to help set up the golfer's feet parallel toward an intended target; and

FIG. 4 depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention assists a golfer in aligning a swing to a ball target. Having discussed prior-art devices, the reader's attention is directed to FIG. 4, which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention at 402. The apparatus includes strap fasteners, one associated with a respective toe portion of each golfer's shoe. An elastic strap 420 has one end attached to a right fastener 416, and a second end attached to a left fastener (not shown). Only the right side of the invention is depicted in FIG. 4, with the understanding that strap 420 extends to another one of the shoe covers. The ends of the elastic strap may attached to the fasteners through keyhole-type buckles 418, or any other suitable fastening device.

The shoe covers that support the strap fasteners need not cover the entire shoe and, in fact, are preferably partial shoe covers with toe portions 404 and heel portions 406 connected with side straps 408, 410. The side straps may also be elastic and/or adjustable through members 412, 414. The shoe covers may be identical, and the toe and heel portion may be constructed of any suitable material including natural or artificial rubber-like materials, leather, and so forth.

The elastic member has a length between 6 and 24 inches in an unstretched state, such that when the golfer assumes a stance for swinging a club, the member is stretched and in alignment with a desired target. A sliding marker may be provided to indicate ball position prior to the swing. The elastic strap 420 is easily removable via connectors 418, such that after a shot, the golfer need only remove the strap and put it in a pocket, for example, until used again for a subsequent swing. 

1. Golf swing alignment apparatus, comprising: a right fastener supported on a toe region of a golfer's right shoe; a left fastener supported on a toe region of a golfer's left shoe; and an elastic strap having a length with two ends, including a first end removably attachable to the right fastener and a second end removably attachable to the left fastener; wherein the elastic strap has an unstretched state and a stretched state; and wherein, when the golfer assumes a stance to swing a golf club, the elastic strap stretches from the unstretched state to the stretched state, such that the stretched elastic strap forms a line between the golfer's right and left toe regions that is in alignment with a desired target.
 2. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 1, further including a ball indicator that slides along the elastic strap.
 3. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 1, further including: right and left shoe covers, each having a toe portion; and wherein the right and left fasteners are supported on the right and left toe portions of the right and left shoe covers, respectively.
 4. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the right and left shoe covers include right and left heel covers; and each toe portion is connected to a respective one of the heel covers through side straps.
 5. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 4, wherein the side straps are elastic.
 6. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 4, wherein the side straps are adjustable.
 7. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the elastic strap is between 6 and 24 inches in the unstretched state.
 8. Golf swing alignment apparatus, comprising: a right shoe cover that fits onto a right shoe of a golfer; a left shoe cover that fits onto a left shoe of the golfer; wherein both the right and left shoe covers have toe regions including strap fasteners; an elastic strap having a length with two ends, including a first end removably attachable to the strap fastener on the right shoe cover and a second end removably attachable to the strap fastener on the left shoe cover; wherein the elastic strap has an unstretched state and a stretched state; and wherein, when the golfer assumes a stance to swing a golf club, the elastic strap stretches from the unstretched state to the stretched state, such that the stretched elastic strap forms a line between the golfer's right and left toe regions that is in alignment with a desired target.
 9. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 8, further including a ball indicator that slides along the elastic strap.
 10. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the right and left shoe covers include right and left heel covers; and each toe portion is connected to a respective one of the heel covers through side straps.
 11. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 8, wherein the side straps are elastic.
 12. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 8, wherein the side straps are adjustable.
 13. The golf swing alignment apparatus of claim 8, wherein the length of the elastic strap is between 6 and 24 inches in the unstretched state. 